Title :
Lower your time to market with StereoLithography
Author :
Mitchell, Schuyler R.
Author_Institution :
Solid Concepts Inc., Valencia, CA, USA
Abstract :
Today the winners in the electronic industry are those companies that reach the marketplace first with quality products and lower production costs. In just a few short years, one technology has revolutionized this process StereoLithography. StereoLithography is a process which quickly produces accurate three-dimensional parts without machining, cutting, or tooling. The StereoLithography process directs a computer-controlled laser beam to draw cross sections of an object on the surface of a vat of liquid plastic. The plastic hardens only where touched by the laser, forming one cross-sectional layer. The cross section is lowered by an elevator into the vat and the process is repeated, each layer adhering to the last, until a three-dimensional part is formed. Using this technology, CAD/CAM design of parts can be directly transformed into patterns in a matter of hours
Keywords :
photolithography; CAD/CAM design; computer-controlled laser beam; electronic industry; product quality; production costs; stereolithography; three-dimensional parts; time to market; Costs; Electronics industry; Laser beam cutting; Laser beams; Machining; Plastics; Production; Stereolithography; Surface emitting lasers; Time to market;
Conference_Titel :
Northcon/94 Conference Record
Conference_Location :
Seattle, WA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-9995-1
DOI :
10.1109/NORTHC.1994.643391